Sandoval County
Rail
Runner Stations to Offer “Preferred” Carpool Parking – and
Generate Solar Electricity
Eight carpool spaces added to Sandoval County / US 550 Rail Runner station
Today!
(Bernalillo,
NM
– January 25th, 2011)-
Starting today, Rail Runner customers
carpooling to the Sandoval County
/ US 550 Rail Runner station will be rewarded with covered parking.
The spaces are located closest to the platform and are available on
a first-come, first-served basis. Eight spaces are being dedicated
to vehicles with two or more adults.
As demand increases, up to 20 spaces could be dedicated for
carpool parking. A similar program for the Belen Rail Runner station
is expected to come online next month.
“This is a nice reward for current carpooling
customers, as well as encouragement for new carpooling customers”,
says Dewey Cave,
Executive Director of the Mid-Region Council of Governments.
“Parking lots are already near capacity, so this will help maximize
the current number of parking spaces we have.”
The advantages of carpooling include reducing
gasoline costs and vehicle depreciation, freeing up a vehicle for
another driver in the household, and reduces stress. Carpooling also
benefits the environment by reducing traffic congestion and
conserving fuel.
Additionally, photovoltaic
modules have been mounted on the shade structures that will generate
85% of electricity needs of these stations. The systems use Schott
Solar panels, manufactured in
Albuquerque, and were installed by Santa
Fe-based company Positive
Energy. Information
on the carpool parking policy – including an online ride finder
program -and the energy production of the photovoltaic system can be
found at www.nmrailrunner.com.
The initiatives at the
stations are being funded by a $438,000 Energy Efficiency and
Conservation Block Grant from the State of New Mexico’s Energy Minerals and Natural
Resources Department using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
funds. The Rio Metro Regional Transit District is also contributing
funds to the project.
For more information on train
schedules and fares, visit
www.nmrailrunner.com or call 1-866-795-RAIL.
Contacts:
Augusta Meyers,
Communications Mgr. at (505) 239-8612,
ameyers@mrcog-nm.gov
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